Wellness Care & Consideration

Draft 18th March 2020:

Background Information

It is to be noted from the explanatory notes of the proposed Bill the following statement:

A flight response is to look for a solution that deprives a future attacker of having the capacity to act offensively. Conversely, a fight response is to look for a solution that enables a future protector a capacity to act defensively.

Of those that are approved under Article 3 Commonwealth legislation, there will be some that were the victims of domestic violence, and/or have suffered a traumatic event such as rape, armed robbery, or the murder of a family member, partner, or friend.

One of the functions of the proposed statutory authority “Perseveration of Life – Community Protection Australia” (POL-CPA) is to develop strategies to prevent mental illness and monitor and manage the mental health of approved applicants.

It is often said that “What does not kill you makes you stronger” and this is particularly so for the victims of violent crime. Meaning that through security training and compassionate interactions with others, a victim can overcome the trauma of a past event to become a far stronger person mentally.

The best fights are won by running away, however, there are times when that is not possible. Therefore a “fight response” within the context of “preservation of life” is being prepared to survive if grievously cornered.

It is to be remembered that police officers are no different from anyone else, they are all just human, and as such are from time to time also victims of violent crime. Therefore it is proposed that the advice in the above-mentioned report and other similar recognised publications will be incorporated into the POL-CPA Mental Health Strategy once the statutory authority has been enacted.